Tips to pull the plug on electrical fires

Saturday 07 March 2015

Firefighters hope Islanders will follow their lead and are warning of the dangers of faulty electrics.

They’ve seen first hand the devastation they can cause and just last week had another fire to deal with they think was caused by a faulty extension lead.

They were called out to flat in First Tower last Tuesday lunchtime to find flames and smoke bellowing from a ground floor window.

Both Clos St Andre and La Route es Nouvaux, the road between the Inner Road and Bellozanne were closed off as firefighters dealt with the blaze at the empty property.

There was extensive smoke damage throughout but after putting out the fire the firefighters could see that most of the actual fire damage was limited to one room because the door had been closed.

Jersey Fire & Rescue say although a smoke alarm can help save lives and will give a good early warning, they are not much help if you’re not there and have left home with too many appliances plugged in or not working properly.

They say overloading, loose wires, non standard plugs, old and worn appliances, appliances that are too powerful and even rodent damage can all leave you vulnerable to an electrical fire.

Their advice is to:

• Get a smoke alarm;
• Buy good quality extension blocks with fuses;
• Never force plugs and sockets;
• Don’t put temporary wiring under carpets;
• Replace loose wiring, move the appliance;
• Accept when an appliance has seen better days and retire it!